1. Talking to Kids about Reading
3 Interviews with today's youth

2. INTRODUCING THE YOUTHS
Lilly: Ty: Setareh: 15

3. Why do you like to read?
I like to read cuz I like the pictures and stuff that goes on.
I like reading because I learn new things about people, ATV, and sports. I like reading cuz it gives me something to do.
I like to read stories that are interesting, because I can use my imagination. I enjoy the different worlds in fantasy. I like to read about Muslims in America because they are like me, a Muslim.

4. What genre(s) interest you the most?
Fantasy and Science fiction
I enjoy reading books about basketball, motocross, ATV, and haunted, scary stories.
Fantasy and Adventure

5. What are your 3 favorite Books? WHY?
Harry Potter (series)
Hunger Games
Mocking Jay
WHY?
Because there is a lot of action and adventure. I like the characters.

6. What are your 3 favorite books? WHY?
The Outsiders.
Micheal Jordan
Jaws
WHY?
I like The Outsiders because it's based on real life experiences.
Micheal Jordan The story of Micheal Jordan gave me lots of information about himself and his childhood.
Jaws made me want to read more to find out what happened next.

7. What are your 3 favorite books? WHY?
Water for Elephants
Harry Potter (series)
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
WHY?
Water for Elephants is well written and very interesting.
I think the Harry Potter series is also well written and interesting. I never know what's going to happen next.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is mysterious and scary.

8. Does your class have a silent reading period? A reading Aloud period?
Yes, for 20 to 30 minutes daily.
Yes, daily for 20 minutes in the 5th grade.
Yes every Friday.
No it doesn't.
No, not in the 9th grade, but we can use study hall time to read.
No there isn't one.

9. Does your teacher read aloud in class? Do you like it? Why/Why not?
Yes, she read Blood on the River, it's fiction.
Yes I like it because sometimes I get bored of hearing myself reading.
My teacher read three books aloud this year, in th grade.
Yes, but we had follow along in our own books.
No, my teachers don't read to us.

10. Do you like to read aloud? Why/why not?
No cuz I'm afraid of messing up, getting the words wrong.
No because I don't want to mess up any words in front the of the class.
If I read aloud, I prefer to read with a friend and take turns, it's fun.

11. What were the assigned books for your class this past year
What were the assigned books for your class this past year? Which did you like? Not like? WHY?
We got to choose from a list, I can't remember them all.
Battle of the books
11 Birthdays
Mouse and the Motorcycle
The Newspaper Boy
Who were the Beatles?
Dying to Meet You
Charlotte’s Web
I liked 11 Birthdays cuz it kept me on the edge of my seat.
I didn't like The Newspaper Boy because it was hard to understand.

12. What were the assigned books for your class this past year
What were the assigned books for your class this past year? Which did you like? Not like? WHY?
The Outsiders
Bea Wolf
I liked The Outsiders because it is based on real life situations.
I didn't like Bea Wolf because it was not my type of book.

13. What were the assigned books for your class this past year
What were the assigned books for your class this past year? Which did you like? Not like? WHY?
Romeo and Juliet
Lord of the Flies
This African story,
I can't remember the title.
I liked Lord of the Flies because it was about human nature.
The African story we read was very difficult to understand.

14. If you could pick which books to read for required literature what topics would they cover?
I would like both fiction and non-fiction books about outerspace and drawing.
I like stories about basketball and biographies about famous basketball players.
I would like to have my whole class read Les Miserables. It is based in France and is about a slave. I also want to read more books about Muslims in America.

15. How do you use your library? Is your Librarian a helpful source?
We have library class every 4 days. She reads aloud, we play games like different versions of Bingo. If I wanted to know about a topic, she would lead me to a section.
They have computers for reports or to find topics of books She always helps me find the book I'm looking for. The library is clean and organized.
I use the public library, I don't use the one at school much The public Librarian is knowledgeable and helpful.

16. In comparison to Tomlinson & Lynch-Brown
Modern fantasy allows readers to use their imaginations through made up worlds, talking animals and mystical creatures. (66-67).
“This particularly applies to selections of nonfiction, because of its appeal to teenage boys., the group most likely to become disenchanted with reading” (98).
“Reading aloud to students is an important teaching strategy for English/language arts teachers and teachers of other content-area subjects to incorporate into their courses” (178).
“....making the school experiences relevant to all students by (1) reshaping the school curricula to encompass the perspectives of all cultures represented in the student body...” (143).

17. Works Cited
Tomlinson, C. M., & Lynch-Brown, C. (2010). Essentials of young adult literature (2nd ed.). Boston: Pearson Allyn & Bacon.